In Song 2005

As you can see on the left-hand corner of the site’s header, this August sees the arrival of Victoria Chorale’s annual concert, In Song 2005.

The choir has been working hard for the past few months, such that practices often stretch well into the night on Saturdays. Yes, we hold our practices on Saturdays and while may think that it’s a sacrifice, we don’t see it that way, because singing is a passion to us.

As a performer, it often gives me a sense of satisfaction and joy to know that the audience sitting beyond the lights are taking pleasure in our performance. What’s more pleasing to know is that we can touch the hearts of young singers out there, those who are singing in their school choirs and dream of joining VJC Choir and Victoria Chorale one day.

But the journey down the artistic path has been uphill more often than not. We often face difficulties in getting financial help and sponsorship. And because we are just a bunch of ordinary folk, we don’t have the necessary resources and contacts to reach out to the masses.

It’s not that we are not a good choir — our track record speaks for itself. The fact is, we are a small arts group that’s largely self-funded, with little external help. And because we are a small outfit, without the “Singapore” or “National” in front of our name, the media generally does not pay much attention to us. This becomes a vicious cycle — the public does not know us and hence, companies are reluctant to plonk down a hefty sum of money on us, unsure if we can get them the eyeballs they expect.

We’ve been trying for the past five years, since I joined the choir, to change the situation by revamping the way we communicate with the media and the companies, but have only met with lukewarm success. While theatre and the like have received much more attention in recent years, the vocal arts area is still largely unknown and unexplored. Everyone knows of Ong Keng Sen and Glen Goei but does anyone know who Nelson Kwei or Lim Ai Hooi are? Does anyone know that the National Anthem was played at an international arena last year, when VJC Choir (they even have a wiki, scroll down) won the category that they had participated in during Choir Olympics?

The Olympics journey itself summarises the situation that we are in. I remember, very clearly, the enthusiastic and appreciative applause we had received, before we had even stepped into the competition hall. The audience had recognized and knew us to be a worthy choir. But the bubble was burst unceremoniously when we came home, and tried desperately to pitch our spoils to the media. Coverage was scarce, and even our own governing artistic body failed to recognize our achievements, until he shot off an irate rant to the Sick Times forum.

If we can cheer on Li Jiawei during her tournaments, why can’t we cheer on our own arts groups as well?

Perhaps the situation will change in a few years’ time, when the government’s vision of the Renaissance City bears fruit, when the arts become a part of the average heartlander’s life. But in the meantime, we will still continue making the music that we love and venturing overseas to stamp our mark on the international map.

To order your tickets for In Song, please visit here. I promise that it will be a good show.